11 Weeks Pregnant

If you could see your baby now, you would be able to hold him or her in the palm of your hand. Your baby is about the size of a beetroot and weighs about ¼ of an ounce. This is the first week that your baby will be considered to be a fetus  and you are getting much closer to being able to share your secret with everyone.

Your Baby’s Development

The skin on your baby is still thin, almost like paper, so you would be able to see through it to the bones if you could see your baby. As your baby develops, more layers of skin will develop to cover the muscles, bones, cartilage and other parts.

Fingers and toes will no longer have the webbed look and an ultrasound may show the fists opening and closing – although it is unlikely your baby will realise he or she is doing this. The ears are also getting into the right position so the rest of the ear can develop. Your baby’s hearing is one of the most developed senses and your baby will understand your voice and find your heartbeat soothing after birth.

An ultrasound will look a little weird at the moment – the head is half the size of the whole body. The head develops sooner than the rest of the body due to the brain development. As the lungs and other organs start growing, the rest of your baby’s body will grow and the head won’t look as alien-like.

Hearing the heartbeat will be something you can opt for at the first ultrasound in about a week. The heart rate will be much higher than yours; typically about 168 beats per minute. The heart rate is likely to remain high throughout the pregnancy – anything between 110 and 170 beats per minute is considered fine.

Changes in You

Much of the early pregnancy symptoms will start to disappear now. You may find that your morning sickness has started to subside and you don’t feel as tired anymore. The second trimester is just two weeks away and this is commonly known as the honeymoon trimester. The reason for this is that the hormone levels will start to level from now.

You won’t be showing too much at the moment but you may see a small pouch forming. If this is a second or third (or more!) baby, you may look pregnant now. Don’t worry if you aren’t; in a few weeks you will clearly look pregnant.

Symptoms at 11 Weeks Pregnant

During pregnancy week 11, you may find that morning sickness has come to an end. However, some expectant mothers still feel pregnancy sickness for longer (and some for the whole pregnancy).

It is likely that you will notice your nails are stronger and your hair is thicker. This is about when the pregnancy glow starts since the hormones have levelled. Your hair will not fall out as much, which gives it the thicker look. The hair also grows faster, so it will become longer during this time.

There are downsides to pregnancy and those are constipation and gas. At 11 weeks pregnant these two symptoms will become the norm. The organs need to make room for the growing baby which slows down the digestive system. It is possible to avoid these by eating little and often. It is also worth having eating a high fibre diet and exercising regularly.

Headaches are a common symptom at pregnancy 11 weeks, especially if you suffer from headaches anyway. There are thoughts that this is linked to the hormones but it could also be due to fatigue, caffeine withdrawal and stress. Try to avoid taking painkillers during the first trimester. To get rid of the headaches make sure that you drink plenty of water and sleep as much as you can.